Handel leaving office to run for governor

ATLANTA - Karen Handel is resigning as Georgia's secretary of state to dedicate herself full time to her campaign for governor.

Handel said Tuesday that she will step down as Georgia's top elections official by the end of the year.

Handel said the move shows she's ``all in'' for the governor's race.
There is a crowded field of candidates to replace Gov. Sonny Perdue, who is barred by term limits from running again.

The decision allows Handel to raise money during the upcoming legislative session. As an elected official Handel would have been barred from raising cash while lawmakers were meeting.

Perdue will pick a replacement to serve the remainder of Handel's term.